Raymond Rivera Passes Away After More Than 60 Years in Imperial Beach

Raymond Z. Rivera was born and raised in Westminster, CA, but for 63 years Rivera called Imperial Beach home. He first settled in the small beach town in 1949 and never had any intentions of leaving.

“He loved it here,” said his son, Eric Rivera. “I don’t think he ever, ever contemplated going anywhere else.”

With him every step of the way was his wife, Amparo Amy Rivera. The couple married at about the same time Rivera moved to Imperial Beach. The couple had three children, one of whom died in 2006.

Raymond left a last impression on his children.

 “He did quite a lot of things for me and the whole family,” Eric said. “He would do anything for me. I mean he helped me in a lot of situations that I can’t even count.”

Rivera passed away Feb. 25 due to complications from bone cancer, a week after being diagnosed. Doctors were initially optimistic that Rivera could beat the cancer, but the situation worsened when the cancer moved to his kidney. He was 83.

As a young man, Rivera served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later found a career aseembling airplanes for the company formerly known as Rohr where he worked for more than 30 years.

Rivera enjoyed many hobbies that included reading, golfing, crossword puzzles, casinos and walking the beach. He also enjoyed spending time with his wife.  

Every day at 3 p.m., the couple sat on their porch and watched traffic go by while he had a beer and she had some wine.

Today his family said they are still healing, but they have to enjoy life like their father would want them to do.

"Things will never be the same. We all cry a lot. Life has to go on; he would want us to,” Eric said.

Rivera is survived by his wife, Amparo; his son, Eric; and his daughter, Cynthia. A memorial service were held last week.